Every Friday, Perfect Daily Grind rounds up the top coffee industry news from the week.
Editor’s note
Between January and February, some of Brazil’s key coffee-growing regions experienced only 40 days of rain. According to industry experts, this is significantly fewer than what is needed for optimal cherry maturation, and the residual impact may last until the next harvest.
Brazilian co-operative Cooxupé recently reported a pessimistic forecast for the 2025/26 harvest season, which means the C price is likely to rise throughout the coming weeks.
As market volatility persists, building connections and fostering trust among supply chain stakeholders becomes all the more important. Producer & Roaster Forum (PRF), the industry’s leading producer-focused event, is currently hosting its tenth and largest edition in Honduras, bringing together thousands of producers, roasters, exporters, importers, and baristas for two days of lectures, panels, competitions, awards, and networking opportunities.
Producers are front and centre at PRF, ensuring their perspectives on some of the most pressing issues in the industry are recognised and heard. While coffee prices remain high and volatile, placing producers at the forefront of conversations is essential – especially when they aren’t reaping the benefits of higher prices paid for their coffee.
Top stories of the week
- Mon, 24 Mar – Cooxupé is pessimistic about Brazil’s 2025/26 coffee crop. The Brazilian cooperative warns that drought and high temperatures will significantly impact this year’s coffee production, with residual effects potentially lasting into 2026. January and February experienced 40 days without rain, which has hindered optimal cherry maturation rates. (Guaxupé, Brazil)
- Tue, 25 Mar – Wagamama partners with Grind to offer premium coffee. The Japanese-inspired restaurant chain will serve Grind’s specialty coffee across all 165 UK locations following a successful trial in July 2024. The move aims to boost early-day trade and enhance customer experience. (London, UK)
- Tue, 25 Mar – Last calls for applications to the Packaging Reimagined Contest. MTPak Coffee invites innovative coffee roasters to submit designs that blend aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability. Prizes include US $5,000 cash or US $10,000 in packaging credit. Entries close 18 April 2025. (Shanghai, China)
- Wed, 26 Mar – Fore Coffee announces IPO on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. The specialty coffee chain plans to raise IDR 379.8 billion by offering 1.88 billion shares, using 76% of the proceeds to open 140 new outlets within two years. The company reported 135% year-on-year sales growth in September 2024 and sees strong market potential amid Indonesia’s expanding coffee sector. (Jakarta, Indonesia)
- Wed, 26 Mar – Thiago Sabino is the 2025 Brazilian Brewers Cup Champion. Sabino of Sabino Torrefação in São Paulo will represent Brazil in the World Brewers Cup at World of Coffee Jakarta in May. Gabriel Agrelli and Daniel Vaz placed second and third, respectively. (Campinas, Brazil)
- Thu, 27 Mar – PRF hosts tenth and biggest edition in Honduras. The event brings together over 4,000 coffee professionals, including 500 green coffee buyers and 2,000 smallholder producers. In addition to the PRF Voices programme, the forum hosts panels, cuppings, workshops, competitions, awards, and the first-ever Producer-Roaster Matchmaking initiative, designed specifically to connect coffee producers and roasters. (San Pedro Sula, Honduras)
Industry news
- Tue, 25 Mar – Strauss Group reports Q4 and full-year 2024 results. Strauss Group, which operates a coffee division, delivered a year of significant growth in Brazil, China and Israel. The group posted NIS $11.2 billion in revenue and NIS $418 million in net profit in 2024. The company also announced a dividend of NIS $160 million, strategic divestments, and board updates amid a challenging commodity cost environment. (Petah Tikva, Israel)
- Wed, 26 Mar – Tim Hortons appoints new COO. Tim Hortons, Canada’s largest branded coffee chain with over 3,880 stores, has promoted Naira Saeed as its new Chief Operating Officer. Saeed, formerly VP of Finance since January 2023, joined in 2017 and will oversee store operations and franchise development across Canada. (Ontario, Canada)
- Wed, 26 Mar – Juan Valdez appoints new CEO for its Spanish operations. Colombian coffee chain Juan Valdez has appointed Virginia Donado Escudero to lead Spanish businesses. Escudero, formerly with Restalia, will lead the ambitious plan to scale from six to 140 stores by 2032 following a strategic partnership with Grupo Trinity. (Madrid, Spain)
- Thu, 27 Mar – Dunkin’ seeks to double Costa Rica footprint in 2025. Dunkin’ launched in Costa Rica in July 2024 at La Valencia shopping centre and has since opened seven outlets. Its Costa Rican franchisee, AR Holdings, plans to add eight new stores by year-end, targeting high-traffic locations in and beyond the Greater Metropolitan Area. (San José, Costa Rica)
- Thu, 27 Mar – Panera Brands appoints Paul Carbone as permanent CEO. Paul Carbone, the brand’s former CFO and interim CEO since January 2025, takes over after José Alberto Dueñas’ departure. He aims to reposition Panera as a fast‐casual value leader by improving food quality, operations, and franchise profitability. (St Louis, Missouri, US)
- Thu, 27 Mar – Jollibee Group targets coffee chain expansion. The Filipino conglomerate plans aggressive franchised growth for its Compose Coffee, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, and Highlands Coffee brands in 2025. Key markets include South Korea (360+ new Compose stores), Vietnam and the Philippines (150-180 Highlands outlets), and India (25+ CBTL locations). (Manila, Philippines)
- Thu, 27 Mar – De’Longhi names Encompass as its primary parts distributor in North America. The supply chain specialist will manage procurement, warehousing, and fulfillment for replacement parts across De’Longhi’s appliance range, including espresso machines and coffee makers. The partnership aims to improve parts availability and streamline service operations. (Lawrenceville, Georgia, US)
- Fri, 28 Mar – Roest opens pre-orders for P3000 production roaster. The Norwegian manufacturer’s 3-kilo capacity electric roaster features AI-driven automation, real-time roast profile tracking, and tool-free maintenance. Purchases are limited to 100 units in 2025, with half already reserved. (Oslo, Norway)
- Fri, 28 Mar – Fairtrade International appoints new CEO. Lisa Prassack will assume leadership on 7 April 2025, bringing over 20 years of agrifood supply chain expertise from companies like Danone and The Nature Conservancy. She succeeds interim leader Melissa Duncan, with plans to implement a new global strategy for equitable trade. (London, UK)
- Fri, 28 Mar – Starbucks aims to cut order wait times. The chain is implementing a four-minute target for drive-thru and in-store orders and a 12-minute maximum wait time for mobile and delivery across 11,000 North American stores. The move addresses customer frustration over delays that contributed to recent sales declines, with improved staffing and new production systems supporting the initiative. (Seattle, Washington, US)
New launch
- Mon, 24 Mar – UK’s Hagen debuts first international outlet in Amsterdam. Hagen’s new Dutch store features a green marble counter, vintage brass fittings, and a Kees Van Der Western espresso machine, offering specialty coffees, including a single origin from its Himalayan Project. (London, UK)
- Fri, 28 Mar – Kaffea-X to launch transparent coffee trading platform. Launching in June 2025, the digital marketplace will feature real-time bidding, escrow payments, and anonymous trading for green coffee buyers and sellers. The platform aims to improve price transparency and reduce credit risk in specialty coffee transactions, with tiered subscription plans. Beta testing begins 10 April. (New York City, New York, US)
- Fri, 28 Mar – Beans Coffee Club seeks Chief Coffee Taster. The UK subscription service is hiring for a remote role evaluating specialty coffees from independent roasters. The unconventional position offers payment in premium beans rather than cash, with responsibilities including taste-testing and creating educational content for subscribers. (London, UK)
Milestone
- Thu, 27 Mar – India’s Café Coffee Day signs debt settlement agreement. CCD’s parent company, CDEL, will repay US $23.9 million in three tranches to clear the debt. Once operating 1,750 outlets, CCD now runs 439 stores after closures that followed the death of founder V.G. Siddhartha. The settlement boosted share prices by 5%. (Bengaluru, India)
Trade & production
- Mon, 24 Mar – Saudi Coffee Company partners to boost halal coffee exports. The collaboration with Halal Products Development Company focuses on certification, market expansion, and knowledge exchange. The initiative supports Saudi Vision 2030 by diversifying the economy and meeting global demand for halal-certified products. (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)
Events & competitions
- Tue, 25 Mar – MICE2025 breaks attendance records. The 12th Melbourne International Coffee Expo attracted 31,708 visitors and 130 exhibitors over the three days, hosting the Melbourne Coffee Festival with Breville, awards programmes, and an educational talks series. MICE2026 will run from 26 to 28 Mar 2026. (Melbourne, Australia)
- Wed, 26 Mar – HORECA Lebanon 2025 will take place from 8 to 11 April. Lebanon’s premier hospitality event returns to Beirut’s Seaside Arena. With the theme “Powered by Passion,” it will host over 350 exhibitors and 19,000 visitors, featuring interactive zones, expert talks, and industry competitions. (Beirut, Lebanon)
- Wed, 26 Mar – Cup of Excellence switches to V-Auction platform. M-Cultivo will continue supporting other premium coffee auctions, including Best of Panama, the Dubai Coffee Auction, the Colombia Land of Diversity, Best of Rwanda, and Best of Ecuador. (Houston, Texas, US)
- Fri, 28 Mar – The Barista League: Europe 2025 set for Prague. On 29 March, baristas will compete in a new format at Gabriel Loci venue. Judges include Sonja Björk Grant and Vladyslav Demonenko, with the event focused on accessibility and inclusivity in coffee competitions. (Prague, Czechia)
Here are a few coffee news stories from previous weeks that you might find interesting. Take a look:
- Fri, 21 Mar – Ensign Beverage and 1890 Initiative launch cold brew to support NIL initiatives. The 1890 Initiative, which helps student athletes benefit from name, image & likeness deals, has expanded its partnership with Ensign Beverage to launch 1890 Nebraska Cold Brew. Locally roasted and brewed in Nebraska, proceeds will fund NIL programmes and community engagement. (Lincoln, Nebraska, US)
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Want to keep up with current affairs in the coffee industry? Check out last week’s coffee news stories and make sure to read the latest Coffee Intelligence News & Opinion piece about the rebranding of RTD coffee.
